CT-guided radiofrequency heat ablation of malignant lung tumors

Radiofrequency heat ablation (RFA) is an advanced minimal-invasive technique for the treatment of primary and secondary malignancies in several organs. This article presents the successful percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided radiofrequency heat ablation of a peripheral bronchiogenic carcinoma and four lung metastases in three patients.

Pain relief in a palliative care situation was the indication for RFA treatment in two patients. A primary curative tumor treatment with RFA was intended in one patient, who refused surgery. All procedures were performed under conscious sedation and local anesthesia.

RFA treatment was carried out without major complications in these patients. No signs of infection or significant bleeding were observed. One patient developed a pneumothorax two days after the procedure, which was drained sufficiently. All patients had elevated temperatures, up to 38.5 degrees C for three days after RFA, due to tumor lysis. Pain relief was possible. Control CT scans three months after percutaneous RFA revealed shrinkage of the treated tumor nodules.

Percutaneous RFA was successfully performed in three patients. CT-guided percutaneous RFA of non-resectable lung neoplasms may be a complement to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Further clinical experience and prospective studies are needed to determine the long-term efficacy and safety of RFA in the treatment of lung tumors.